My name is Derrick Johnson. I'm a 26-year veteran of Olympic weightlifting — an American record holder in multiple weight classes with over 30 international and national titles. I've coached Olympians, World Champions, Pan American Champions, and National Champions.

I'm also one of the few people in American history to have been an Olympic-eligible athlete and a coach simultaneously.

But before any of that, I was a kid from St. Louis, Missouri — one of the most dangerous cities in America.

I grew up on section 8 and EBT. I saw drug dealers on my front steps, armed robberies, police chases, and SWAT raiding my house. A rival gang shot up my bedroom window in a drive-by — I was 10 years old. In fourth grade, with no extracurricular activities to keep me busy, I spent all my time with the gangs once school finished every day. I've lost over 50 family and friends to gun violence, with far too many more lost to suicide, prison, or addiction.

By age 12, I was working 40 hours a week while going to school and training — that added up to 100-hour weeks as a kid just to survive. Weightlifting saved my life. It gave me discipline, purpose, and a way out.

That path took me from the streets of St. Louis to competing internationally, representing the United States. I earned a degree in political science from Lindenwood University and created the first-ever college scholarship program for Olympic weightlifters in the United States.

But I never forgot where I came from.

After moving to Los Angeles, I learned that five of the athletes I had coached back in St. Louis were shot and killed. Five kids I knew, trained, and mentored — gone.

That broke me. And it lit a fire in me.

South Central Los Angeles is a community where poverty, crime, and a lack of resources trap too many young people before they even have a chance. Kids grow up surrounded by violence, limited opportunities, and few safe places to go after school. I see myself in them — and I know exactly where that path leads without intervention.

In January 2018, I opened The Kings of Weightlifting — a free, after-school sports performance program in South Central LA. We mentor kids through physical training, nutrition, and academic support. We give them what weightlifting gave me: discipline, confidence, and a vision for their future.

Since 2004, I've coached close to a thousand kids from the inner city. Every single one leaves with more than they came with — strength, confidence, and hope.

But we need help to keep this going.

Our program is 100% free to families. We don't charge a single dollar. I've put every resource I have into keeping this program alive — but to sustain it, I need support.

We need $10,000 to:

· Keep The Kings of Weightlifting operating at no cost to families

· Maintain consistent coaching, training, and mentorship for our kids

· Ensure this program stays available for the youth who need it most

Every dollar goes directly to the program and the kids — the ones who remind me so much of myself at their age. The ones who just need someone to believe in them.

This campaign is organized under my name to support The Kings of Weightlifting, a registered nonprofit. All funds go directly to the program.

If you've read this far, thank you. Whether you donate, share this campaign, or just take a moment to hold these kids in your thoughts — you're helping change lives.

This isn't just about weightlifting. It's about giving kids a way out. A way up. A way forward.

With gratitude,

Coach Derrick Johnson

Founder, The Kings of Weightlifting